Fishtail propeller



Nov. 21, 1939. L. J. WEATHERWAX FISHTAIL PROPELLER Filed Aug. 25, 1938 2Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR 5 Y E N R O T T A 2 Sheets-Shet 2 w m e m m J ML L. J. WEATHERWAX FISHTAIL PROPELLER Filed Aug. 25, 1938 s if h. N a

Nov. 21, 1939.

i V I m z W v V L Patented Nov. 21, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEFISHTAIL PROPELLER Leon J. Weatherwax,

Toledo, Wasl'n, assignor of one-half to Robert B. Menefee, Toledo, Wash.Application August 25, 1938, Serial No. 226,788

1 Claim.

The invention relates to a fishtail propeller and water giving greaterdriving force and minimizing slip, the propeller being of novelconstruction.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a propeller of thischaracter, wherein the fins or blades are of semi-flexing quality toassure perfect working thereof with resultant maximum driving power andeliminating damage when meeting an obstruction.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a propellerv ofthis character, which is simple in its construction, thoroughly reliableand efiicient in operation, being possessed of few parts resulting instrength and durability, and inexpensive to manufacture and install.

With these and other objects in View, the invention consists in thefeatures of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as willbe hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, which disclose the preferred embodiment of the invention andpointed out in the claim hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view partly in section of the propeller constructedin accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view partly in elevation.

Figure 3 is a sectional View taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1 lookingin the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout theseveral views in the drawings.

Referring to the drawings in detail, A designates generally a housing ofsubstantially elliptical contour and effecting an enclosure for a drivenrotary element l0, being made fast to a driving arbor or shaft II, whichis centrally located in said element and is perpendicularly disposedwithin the housing, being journaled at its lower reduced end I2 in saidhousing and also in a shaft casing, a portion thereof being indicated at13. The shaft casing I3 is fixed in a collar extension I4 formedintegral with the housing A and such shaft is operated from any suitablesource of power.

The element has formed at opposite sides thereof reversely disposedeccentrics or cams l5 and It, respectively, about which are eccentric 5straps l1, these having rod-like arms l8. The arms l8 are telescopedwithin hollow tube formations I 9 provided with turning hubs 20, theseswinging on a vertical axis in a common perpendicular direction withrespect to said tubular ex- 1 tensions I9. The extensions l9 protrudethrough a clearance 2! provided therefor in the housing A.

The tubular extensions I9 carry semi-flexible blades 22, preferably madefrom flexible steel of the marginal contour as shown in Figure 2 of 5'the drawings. Opposite faces of these blades are provided with main andbranch ribs 23 and 24, respectively, the latter being angled to thehorizontal while the rib 23 is longitudinally directed to the saidblades. The turning arbors oraxles for the tubular extensions 19 areindicatedat 25, 1 having suitable bearings in the housing and one withinthe other of the hub portions 20.

The blades 22 are oscillated in reverse directions to each other androtate through a portion 25 of the arc of a circle in parallel planesone above the other on rotation of the cams or eccentrics l6 and thepaths or wakes of both blades being sinuous when the device is moving.The twin relationship or duplexity of the propeller blades assuresmaximum driving force and less slip in the operation of the propeller. y

The blades 22'efieot an oscillatory twin fishtail propeller.

The arms l8 slidably fit within the tubular extensions moving inwardlyand outwardly with respect thereto on oscillation activity of eachblade.

The housing at its lowermost portion has a rudder formation 26.

The operation of the propeller should be clearly understood from theforegoing taken in connection with the drawings and therefore anextended explanation has been omitted.

What is claimed is:

A propeller of the character described comprising a housing, tubularextensions projected from said housing, rotatable through a portion ofthe arc of a circle in parallel planes one above the other and havinghubs swingable on an axis common to said tubular extensions, and bladescarried by said extensions.

LEON J. WEATHERWAX.

